Last Updated on February 8, 2023

Deserts may seem like barren wastelands, but they are actually teeming with life. From tiny microbes to hardy reptiles, the harsh desert environment is home to a wide range of unexpected and fascinating creatures.

Despite its seemingly inhospitable environment, deserts are home to a variety of animals and plants, each with its own unique adaptations that allow it to thrive in this unforgiving landscape.

Below, a list of unusual things you may not expect to find in a desert.

Deserts may look empty, but they are brimming with life.
Despite their seemingly desolate appearance, deserts actually host diverse forms of life.

1. Ants

Ants are a common sight in deserts, where they form large colonies and feed on seeds, insects, and nectar. There are several species of ants that can be found in deserts, including:

  1. Harvester ants: These ants collect and store seeds, which they use as a food source. They are well adapted to the desert environment and can survive by storing water in their large bodies.
  2. Solenopsis ants: Also known as thief ants, they feed on the eggs and larvae of other insects, as well as seeds and nectar. They are able to survive in the desert by living in underground nests and by being active at night when the temperature is cooler.
  3. Pogonomyrmex ants: These ants are known as seed harvesters and feed on the seeds of desert plants. They are able to survive in the harsh desert environment by digging deep underground nests and storing seeds for later use.

These desert ants have adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert by forming large colonies, conserving water, and foraging for food at night. They also have a remarkable ability to adapt to changes in their environment, using their sharp mandibles and organized social structures to overcome the challenges of desert life.


2. Mushrooms (and truffles)

Mushrooms and truffles may not be the first things that come to mind when thinking of desert life, but they are actually found in some desert environments, especially those with adequate rainfall and humidity. These fungi play an important role in the ecosystem, breaking down dead organic matter and providing nutrients for other desert dwellers.

Desert Mushrooms that grow on sand dunes
Some mushrooms have adapted to grow on sand dunes.

Several species of mushrooms and truffles can be found in deserts, although they are relatively rare. Some examples include:

  1. Desert Truffle (Terfezia claveryi): This species of truffle can be found in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. It grows underground and forms symbiotic relationships with the roots of desert shrubs and trees.
  2. Clavaria cinerea: This species of mushroom is commonly found in deserts and arid regions in North America and is known for its delicate, grayish-white appearance.
  3. Psathyrella cothelotae: This species of mushroom can be found in deserts in North America and is known for its ability to survive in harsh, arid conditions.

3. Burrowing Frogs

Frogs are not commonly associated with deserts, but some species have adapted to this harsh environment by burrowing into the ground and surviving on stored fat during dry periods. These amphibians also provide a source of food for other desert dwellers, such as snakes and birds.

One species of frog commonly found in deserts is the Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus spp.). These toads are adapted to the arid conditions of the desert by burrowing into the ground and surviving on stored fat during dry periods. They can be found in deserts in North America and have a distinctive “spade” on their hind legs, which they use to dig into the ground.

Another species is the Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo alvarius), found in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. This species has thick, warty skin that helps it retain moisture and survive in the harsh desert environment.


4. Algae

Algae may seem like a strange organism to find in a desert, but they can actually survive in some desert environments, especially those with temporary pools of water or moist soil. These tiny organisms use photosynthesis to produce food and oxygen, and they play an important role in the ecosystem by supporting other desert dwellers.

In desert regions, algae can be found in a variety of habitats including intermittent pools and wetlands, rock cracks and crevices, and soil. Some examples include:

  1. Dunaliella salina: This species of green algae is commonly found in deserts and is known for its ability to survive in high-salt environments.
  2. Chlorella: This genus of green algae is commonly found in deserts and is known for its ability to survive in harsh, dry conditions.
  3. Nostoc: This genus of blue-green algae is commonly found in deserts and is known for its ability to form symbiotic relationships with desert plants, helping to fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility.

5. Desert Ticks

Ticks are not commonly found in desert regions, as they typically prefer more humid environments with a higher abundance of hosts for them to feed on. However, there are a few species of ticks that are able to survive and thrive in desert environments, including:

  1. Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): This species of tick is able to tolerate the dry conditions found in deserts and is commonly found in arid regions around the world.
  2. Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni): This species of tick is commonly found in deserts in the western United States and is known to feed on a variety of hosts, including lizards, rodents, and other small mammals.
  3. Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum): This species of tick is commonly found in deserts in the southern United States and is known for its ability to survive and thrive in hot, dry conditions.

These ticks are known to transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses. It’s important to take precautions when spending time in desert environments to avoid exposure to ticks and to protect yourself from tick-borne diseases.


6. Lichens

Lichens are a unique form of life that are often overlooked in the desert, but they play an important role in the ecosystem. These symbiotic relationships between fungi and algae are capable of surviving in extreme conditions and provide a source of food and shelter for other desert dwellers.

Examples of desert lichens are:

  1. Aspicilia: This genus of crustose lichens is commonly found in deserts and arid regions around the world and is known for its ability to survive in harsh, dry conditions.
  2. Xanthoria: This genus of fruticose lichens is commonly found in deserts and arid regions and is known for its yellow-orange coloration and ability to photosynthesize under harsh desert conditions.
  3. Physcia: This genus of foliose lichens is commonly found in deserts and arid regions and is known for its ability to survive in harsh, dry conditions.
  4. Caloplaca: This genus of crustose lichens is commonly found in deserts and arid regions around the world and is known for its ability to survive in harsh, dry conditions.

7. Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants can be found in deserts, although they are relatively rare. Some examples of carnivorous plants found in deserts include:

  1. Sundews (Drosera spp.): Sundews are a genus of carnivorous plants found in deserts around the world and are known for their ability to capture insects with their sticky, gland-tipped leaves.
  2. Venus Flytraps (Dionaea muscipula): Venus Flytraps are a well-known species of carnivorous plants found in deserts in North America. They are known for their ability to trap insects in their modified leaves.
  3. Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia spp.): Pitcher Plants are a genus of carnivorous plants found in deserts in North America and are known for their ability to capture insects in their modified leaves.

These carnivorous plants have evolved to survive in desert environments where nitrogen is often in short supply. They are able to supplement their diets with nutrients from the insects they capture, which allows them to thrive in otherwise inhospitable desert conditions.

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